Ocean's Eleven

Published May 4, 2009

Film info

Title Ocean's Eleven

Director Steven Soderbergh

Year 2001

Run time 1hr 56m

Genres Crime, Thriller

Tagline Are you in or out?

Hollywood’s A list stars come together to pull off the most daring heist Las Vegas has ever known...11 men, 3 casinos, 150 million dollars, 1 chance to pull it off. It will take brilliant planning, shrewd scheming, cunning disguises, truckloads of technology and just a little bit of luck. But how do you fleece one of the most ruthless Casino operators in town?...and how do you break into vaults that no-one has even got near before? If it works, this will be the scam of their lives. Loaded with witty dialogue, packed with daring action and featuring a truly clever script, this is going to be one night Vegas never forgets.

Live blog

Time

Comment

0:07

Oooh, widescreen is weird.

0:33

Soon get used to it though.

1:03

I wonder who those voices are at the beginning, and whether they go about saying I was that prison warder voice at the beginning of Ocean’s Eleven.

1:44

This is a film in which the music really helps set the tone.

7:00

I like film stars acting like themselves (sort of).

8:35

The two most unfeasibly beautiful men in the same room at the same time. How could you not like this film?

16:07

That’s a nice shot - lights, fountain, spray of money… um… shot man.

18:21

It’s cleverly done to introduce so many characters in such a short space of time and not be dull or confusing.

24:17

This is a man after my own heart: “So why don’t you take vitamins?” rather than eat an orange.

28:30

Las Vegas is just so sparkly. I wonder what it’s like in real life.

32:16

Groundhog! Seriously, are there elements of Groundhog Day in every single film I’m going to watch?

35:12

I get that Brad Pitt’s thing is eating in this film, I’m not sure there’s a scene where he doesn’t have something to munch on. But how did he not get fat during filming?

41:01

They always say that the handshake is really important.

45:15

Is it really possible that he wouldn’t have realised Tess was going out with him? I thought they were supposed to be doing research!

50:46

I do enjoy the conversation between Danny and Tess. So few words but so much meaning.

55:15

Another man after my own heart - watching it on TV when it’s happening right behind you.

58:36

It’s lucky that that pinch thing happened to be in CA and not halfway across the world.

1:03:25

I have never really understood why they stage this part. Is it to convince Linus to do it? Or are they just not having enough fun as it is?

1:04:51

Argh! If it wasn’t so amusing, that unfinished sentence would bug me forever.

1:10:06

I know we are supposed to hate him and he is not a nice man, but Benedict’s efficient way does appeal to me. It’s very calming, despite the fact it’s all going to go wrong for him any second.

1:12:06

Surely it won’t be long before someone finds that dinner stuff in the lift? Questions would be asked.

1:17:57

It does take the edge off a film if you know which bits are cons.

1:22:39

How can those little zip wire things be strong enough to hold them? I wouldn’t trust it for a second, especially not above a lift shaft and especially not one that is rigged up to an alarm system.

1:28:42

Ugh, that’s like cotton wool… ripping… ooh, sets my teeth on edge.

1:30:07

How can you not have a cellphone?

1:34:00

I always thought minibar was one word.

1:37:35

She’s not watching TV like she was told to.

1:45:15

Those SWAT vans ain’t pretty.

1:45:36

I don’t like this bit with the music and the fountains but I’m not sure how else they could do it without being smug.

1:50:00

Who’s Ted Nugent? Googles

1:51:16

There are an awful lot of cars in that car park and only one man appears to be being released. Are they all “just visiting”?

Conclusions

I have seen this film before, a couple of times perhaps, and knew that I liked it going in. The trouble was, I couldn’t remember what happens in it, but it didn’t take long for it to come flooding back. I suspect this is one of those films that is much better watching as if it’s new.

Nevertheless, it’s a great film that’s even worth watching more than once despite knowing the inside story before it happens. A great ensemble cast, nicely paced action, and it all turns out right in the end. Plus, who doesn’t love a good con movie?